Performance at the national postgraduate medical college fellowship examinations in dental surgery- A 23 year review

Abstract

This study evaluates the performances at various levels of examinations from inception as a guide to the assessing how far the Faculty has been able to meet the objectives for which it was established and offer recommendations for repositioning the Faculty for future development. Results of the Fellowship examinations of the Faculty of Dental Surgery in the three examination levels from 1979 to 2002 (FMCDS) were retrieved. The data were analysed for gender, sub specialties of preference, number of attempts at Parts I and II levels and average duration of completion of the Fellowship programme. Between 1979-2002, 633 candidates sat for the Primary FMCDS examination, 262 (41%) were successful. In the Part I FMCDS examination 330 candidates sat for the examination from 1980-2002. 128 (39%) were successful, while at the Part II level 77 candidates sat for the examination, 43 (56%) were successful and 34 (44%) failed. 57(44.5%) and 30 (69.8%) passed the Part I & II respectively at first attempt, while 27 (21.1%) and 10 (23.3%) were successful in the Parts I and II respectively at the 2nd attempt. 39 (30.5%) and 5 (3.9%) were successful in the Part I examination at 3rd and 4th attempts, while 3(7.0%) were successful in the Part II FMCDS at 3rd attempt. The duration of training ranged from 6-7 years in over 50% of the candidates, mean of 7.5 years overall. The Faculty of Dental Surgery has had tremendous impact on the dental manpower need of the nation within the period under review.